We're having my family over for lunch & Christmas around the middle of December. I need ideas on what to serve - keep in mind that I HATE cooking. Hate it with a passion. The food needs to be: 1. easy to prepare and serve, 2. easy to eat - we'll be sitting around the livingroom with paper plates, 3. vegetarian but not necessarily vegan - dairy & eggs are fine.

I'd like to make a theme - say, Mexican - but am open to ideas for any other kind themed food as well.

5. My husband and I, my parents, and my 90 year old Nana. My parents & Nana are very plain eaters - meat 'n potatoes - but my husband and I are vegetarian so I'd like to get them to try new things. My mom is always up for trying new food and I know my Nana will enjoy the different food as well.

Italian is easy and usually makes people happy. Veggie lasagna or eggplant parm? Trader Joe's has some good vegetarian ones of both. Add a salad with Italian dressing (or Caesar for the non-vegetarians… there are vegetarian versions out there, but they do taste quite a bit different), some garlic bread, and dessert, and you've got dinner.

If you want do something more traditional, try this: http://www.feastingathome.com/2012/11/shepherd-less-pie.html Add a salad or a couple of simply cooked green vegetables (steamed greens with olive oil and lemon?) and you're done! Yay. This does involve quite a bit of chopping, but you can probably get many of the veggies pre-diced, or get hubby to help.

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How about outsourcing the main dish? Do you live near a Trader Joe's? They have pretty good spanakopita and vegetarian lasagna in family sizes. You could make a salad and have good bread. Also, most Chinese and Indian restaurants are open on Christmas. Take out is really easy. My go-to easy vegetarian meal is tacos, but they are kind of messy.

Italian is easy and usually makes people happy. Veggie lasagna or eggplant parm? Trader Joe's has some good vegetarian ones of both. Add a salad with Italian dressing (or Caesar for the non-vegetarians… there are vegetarian versions out there, but they do taste quite a bit different), some garlic bread, and dessert, and you've got dinner.

If you want do something more traditional, try this: http://www.feastingathome.com/2012/11/shepherd-less-pie.html Add a salad or a couple of simply cooked green vegetables (steamed greens with olive oil and lemon?) and you're done! Yay. This does involve quite a bit of chopping, but you can probably get many of the veggies pre-diced, or get hubby to help.

I was just going to suggest a veggie eggplant parm as well. Leftovers keep well!